The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) held in Algiers, Algeria, from 4–10 September 2025, is a flagship biennial event organized by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat. It serves as a hub for African trade, investment, and market linkages. The fair being Africa’s largest marketplace for trade and investment, among the proud sponsors leading the charge were Kingford Homes (A leading real estate brokerage, development, and investment advisory firm, with a portfolio of properties in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja) and Daniel Ford International (A property search and acquisition specialist firm, London, United Kingdom), two real estate giants committed to driving growth and transforming Nigeria’s property landscape and the Diaspora at large.
The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers so far attracted over 2,000 exhibitors, 35,000 participants, and generated more than $44 billion in projected trade and investment deals surpassing the $43.8 billion recorded at IATF 2023 in Cairo.
The fair, themed “Gateway to new opportunities”, underscored not just the importance of Africa working together and cross sector collaboration, but also infrastructure and property development as enablers of trade. With Africa increasingly opening up through the AfCFTA, demand for logistics hubs, industrial parks, residential estates, and commercial spaces is expected to surge. IATF 2025 is shaping up to be the most ambitious and influential edition yet, building on the foundation established in Cairo (2023) and Durban (2021). By hosting increased international participation, facilitating unprecedented deal flow, and attracting broader sector representation, from policy leaders to young entrepreneurs, this fair is becoming Africa’s premier trading, investment, and integration catalyst.
Most attendees were surprised at the appearance of two real estate companies, as this year’s edition drew influential leaders and brands into Africa’s largest trade stage, featuring an impressive roster of Premier Partners; notable for their pan-African impact, including Dangote Group, TGI Group, Oando, Arise and many more. The fair also hosted a who’s-who of world leaders, including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO Director-General), Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group President), Ralph Mupita (MTN CEO), Adewale Tinubu (Oando CEO), and H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, sometimes alongside Ministers and institutional heads convening for a “Presidential Summit Day”. Leading figures in entertainment like Wizkid and Khabi Lame (One of the most influential digital creators worldwide), and Chef Stone (One of Nigeria’s most recognized culinary figures) were also present. By standing alongside these powerhouses, Kingford Homes and Daniel Ford International demonstrated the critical role of real estate in Africa’s economic integration and urban transformation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Bababode Edun (CEO Kingford Homes), described the fair as “a powerful demonstration of Africa’s untapped potential and the central role real estate plays in connecting trade, industry, and sustainable living.”
“The IATF is more than an exhibition, it is a statement that Africa is ready, and for us at King Ford and Daniel Ford, being part of this transformation is both a privilege and a responsibility”, he concluded.
For Daniel Ford International, IATF 2025 provided the perfect platform to highlight UK’s dynamic property market and showcase opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Yemi Edun (CEO Daniel Ford Int’l) noted: “Nigeria is not only Africa’s largest economy, but also a springboard for global investment. Many African investors are eager to explore opportunities in the UK property market, but uncertainty often holds them back. Platforms like IATF allow us to bridge that gap, connecting investors with trusted developers and partners, and unlocking the confidence needed to create long-term cross-border real estate value.”
In a historic announcement, it was confirmed that Nigeria will host the next edition of IATF in Lagos. This is expected to bring immense benefits to the city’s economy and real estate sector: Lagos will welcome thousands of investors, policymakers, and corporations, positioning the city as a premier gateway into Africa, the influx of international delegates and corporate participants will fuel demand for hotels, mixed-use developments, office spaces, and residential properties, preparations for hosting will accelerate infrastructure upgrades, transportation projects, and city regeneration initiatives. For Lagos, IATF 2027 represents not just an event but an accelerator for urban development and real estate expansion.
By sponsoring IATF 2025, Kingford Homes and Daniel Ford International positioned themselves among the economic giants shaping Africa’s narrative of progress, signaling real estate’s role at the nexus of cross-border trade, infrastructure, and investment flows.
IATF 2025 is more than an exhibition, it’s a crossroads of power, connectivity, and progress. In joining this grid, Kingford Homes and Daniel Ford International proved that real estate isn’t just infrastructure, it’s investment capital, urban vision, and the physical proof of Africa’s next chapter.
